
As the coolant flows through these passages, it picks up heat from the engine. Many modern motorcycles still use air cooling, but for the most part, automobiles and trucks use liquid-cooled systems and that is what this article will concentrate on.Ī cooling system works by sending a liquid coolant through passages in the engine block and heads. Once the fluid is cooled, it returns to the engine to absorb more heat.Īctually, there are two types of cooling systems found on motor vehicles: liquid-cooled and air-cooled.Īir-cooled engines are found on a few older cars, like the original Volkswagen Beetle, the Chevrolet Corvair, and a few others. How does a car cooling system work?Ī cooling system works by sending a liquid coolant through passages in the engine block and heads. In the water-cooling system of cooling engines, the cylinder walls and heads are provided with a jacket through which the cooling liquid can circulate.Ī cooling system in an internal combustion engine is used to maintain the various engine components at temperatures conducive to long life and proper functioning. Most internal combustion engines are fluid cooled using either air (a gaseous fluid) or a liquid coolant run through a heat exchanger (radiator) cooled by air. A fan to draw fresh air through the radiator.A thermostat to control temperature by varying the amount of liquid going to the radiator and.A water pump, usually of the centrifugal type, to circulate the liquid through the system.A radiator, consisting of many small tubes equipped with a honeycomb of fins to convect heat rapidly, that receives and cools hot liquid from the engine.A series of channels cast into the engine block and cylinder head, surrounding the combustion chambers with circulating liquid to carry away heat.A typical automotive cooling system comprises: The cooling system also incorporates elements of the cabin’s ventilation system, because engine heat is used to warm the car’s interior.Īlmost all automobiles employ liquid cooling systems for their engines. Most vehicles now employ an expansion tank that allows the coolant to expand, and exit, the cooling circuit when hot, and to return when the car is turned off and the engine cools. System components include a radiator to dissipate heat, a fan or fans to ensure adequate airflow for radiator cooling, a thermostat valve that opens when the desired operating temperature is reached and a water pump (or coolant pump) to circulate coolant through the engine, hoses and other components. A vehicle’s engine-cooling system serves not just to keep the engine cool, but to also keep its temperature warm enough to ensure efficient, clean operation.
